Connor Essegian was the first Wisconsin Badgers player to announce his departure via the transfer portal on Sunday, marking the beginning of transfer news for the team. Following Essegian’s decision, walk-on guards Ross Candelino and Luke Haertle also entered the transfer portal on Monday.
Ross Candelino, a 6’5 guard from Jacksonville, Florida, came to the Badgers as a walk-on in the 2022-23 season and redshirted during the recent season. With three years of eligibility left, Candelino made appearances in five games for Wisconsin, playing a total of 10 minutes. He achieved a career-high of four points in his debut against South Dakota last season.
DM for film! https://t.co/TS0hrSOPMp
— Ross Candelino (@RCandelino) March 25, 2024
Haertle, a 6’4 guard weighing 215 pounds from Hartland, Wisconsin, became a walk-on for the Badgers in the 2022-23 season, undergoing a redshirt year during his freshman season. With three years of eligibility still ahead, he has now decided to enter the transfer portal.
Haertle participated in nine games in the recent season, reaching a personal best of playing three minutes during Wisconsin’s victory over the Maryland Terrapins in the Big Ten Tournament earlier this month.
Thank you Madison for the past two years! I am entering the portal with 3 years of eligibility left! pic.twitter.com/RDUne0plE7
— Luke Haertle (@LukeHaertle) March 25, 2024
Essegian’s entry into the transfer portal has brought the Badgers’ projected scholarships for the upcoming season back to 13. However, there may still be further changes within the program.
As Haertle and Candelino were walk-ons, they are not counted in the projected scholarships. It is probable that they will seek opportunities elsewhere that offer more playing time.
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